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my sins and shortcomings. O Lord, mitigate and remove my present pains, and
preserve from further distress, deliver me from anxious sinful fears and cares, and
encourage my heart to trust in Thee. I thank the Lord for my dear colleague, and
his improving in gifts and grace. Spare us both and make us successful. Oh, may
I be enabled to praise the Lord! Blessed Jesus, be Thou my life and joy and my
complete salvation. Deal tenderly with me and my family, and prepare me for all
Thy will, and for Thy blessed Communion and service. Lord, I am Thine, in time
and to all eternity. Save and heal, sanctify and comfort me and mine and all Thy
people. Amen.
16. This morning I received an answer [added: “letter”] from Dominee Romein 533
in answer to mine respecting the call of Niskayuna and the Boght. We are (VD)
to meet 24 instant in the church at Niskayuna, and I would humbly pray the Lord
to direct us unto the choice of proper means and measures, to satisfy the people,
and especially to obtain a faithful minister to the congregations! O Lord! I am
weak at present, but desire to look up unto Thee for strength and patience. May I
find mercy and help, and be found also doing and engaged in Thy service. Pardon
unbelief and ingratitude, and strengthen, Father, Thy unworthy servant, also for
the duties at Kinderhook. Lord, speak peace, and leave a blessing to my poor
body. Spare me, Lord, and remember unworthy, sinful me. EWlo.
23. Thanks to our God for repeated instances of mercy and faithfulness. Last
Thursday I went down to Kinderhook, and was received by some of my friends in
love and mutual comfort. Mr. Labach 534 was ordained last Lord’s Day. Dominee
Ritzema 535 preached from Psalm 12.3. 536 With him I laid hands on the young
minister, and read that part of the form, also the charge, and closed with prayer.
Afterwards Mr. Labach preached from Psalm 51.12b -13, 537 and we humbly hope
our conduct and further conversation will be acceptable to the Lord and prove
beneficial to His Church. I desire to rejoice in the progress of Zion’s prosperity.
Tomorrow I must attend at Niskayuna, and would pray for the Lord’s guidance
and direction. O, may wisdom be given with strength, and the Lord prosper our
way and work in every respect and every day. May I be found fervent in spirit
and serving the Lord. O, Father, hear, heal, and help, and may grace abound and
rebound, to Thy glory in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
25. Yesterday I went to Niskayuna with elder Willet, and met in the church with
Dominee Romein, his elder, and the Kerkeraad of that place and the Boght.
When, after many very unpleasing debates, they came to a friendly composition
and entered into a combination, and well especially with respect to the calling of a
minister, it was agreed that the majority of each consistory, whenever there was a
competition, should declare, in full Kerkeraad of the combined congregations, 538
who in their opinion would be most agreeable to the major number of each
533
Likely Dominee Dirck Romeyn of Schenectady, NY.
534
Dominee Isaac Labagh (1764-1837). Minister in Kinderhook, NY, 1789-1801.
535
Dominee Johannes Ritzema (1710-1796), retired at Kinderhook in 1788 , after 10 years there.
536
May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts.
537
Sustain in me a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to
you.
538
It seems as though a combination of Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian congregations is formed
here.
201